UF's Bradley Beal working way through shooting struggles

Bradley Beal, Florida's talented freshman guard, has struggled shooting in the past five games

January 13, 2012|By Rachel George, Orlando Sentinel

GAINESVILLE – It is perhaps a reflection of the expectations for Florida's Bradley Beal that the past five games have been considered a slump.

One of the top freshmen in the country, a one-and-done caliber player, even Beal is susceptible to the ups and downs of a season. At least that is what coach Billy Donovan has told him as he has struggled making shots in the past five games.

With the No. 19 Gators (13-4, 1-1 SEC) traveling to South Carolina (8-8, 0-2) on Saturday, it is the status of Beal's so-called slump that can help determine the outcome. Against Georgia on Tuesday, Beal had his best game since before the holiday break, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

But that came after he's struggled in the four previous games. Starting with the Gators' Dec. 29 loss at Rutgers, Beal's averages in the past five games are lower than his season averages in the following categories: shooting percentage (.421 this season vs. .327 in the past five), 3-point shooting percentage (.337 vs. .272), points per game (14.3 vs. 11.4) and rebounds per game (6.1 vs. 5.8).

"It's not really a slump. It's college basketball," said Donovan. "When you're going through a stretch of difficulty as a freshman, as talented as he is, he has never dealt with anything like this before. He just hasn't."

To Beal, the message has been clear from Donovan. Yes, much is expected as Beal leads the team ranks second in the SEC in minutes per game (33.8). But, down games and down shooting nights happen to every player – even the former Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Donovan said the practices following the loss in Knoxville were some of the most productive for Beal. Throughout the season, he has noted Beal's unselfishness as he defers to the Gators' more experienced guards. But recently, Beal has grasped a better idea of when to pass and when to shoot, Donovan said.

"He has to have what I would consider a nastiness to him, a meanness to him, internally, of fighting through and focusing on what is the next play," Donovan said.

After the Georgia game, Beal cited a lack of focus for his struggles. Beal said he has had a difficult time moving on after a bad shot or a bad play, letting it linger with him on the next play. He's had to silence his biggest critic – himself.

A second consecutive strong performance by Beal can be what the Gators need on the road, where they have struggled this season. They're 0-4 in true road games, with losses at No. 1 Syracuse and No. 5 Ohio State among them.

It is in those games were Beal has struggled. While his rebounding average is slightly better on the road (6.2 per game), his shooting has been markedly worse as he has a .285 field goal percentage and .217 3-point percentage.

A performance against the Gamecocks like the one that got him out of his shooting funk on Tuesday could go a long way in helping the Gators get their first road win.

"He's capable, and I have all the confidence in the world with him," said Donovan. "He's a good kid and he wants to do well and he's trying. I've got to help him through it, and he's got to help himself through it."